Data

Predicting core areas of flatback turtle hatchlings and potential exposure to threats

Name: Predicting core areas of flatback turtle hatchlings and potential exposure to threats
Published: 2026

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)

Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]

ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/1558a623-d294-412f-b999-aff67b5d8551&rft.title=Predicting core areas of flatback turtle hatchlings and potential exposure to threats&rft.identifier=https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/1558a623-d294-412f-b999-aff67b5d8551&rft.publisher=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)&rft.description=We used particle tracking forced by an ocean circulation model (ozROMS) to predict the passive dispersal of flatback turtle hatchlings (Natator depressus) from 12 nesting sites off the coast of Western Australia. We used the modelled outputs to calculate the distribution of these ‘virtual hatchlings’ and infer core areas of hatchlings use over three dispersal phases (1–4, 10–15 and 25–30 days). The core areas of use were located on the continental shelf during all dispersal phases, which provides support for their proposed neritic development. We then calculated the overlap between core areas and two anthropogenic threats to marine turtles which are in-water artificial infrastructure and light pollution. We found that hatchlings were mostly exposed to these threats during their early dispersal. As such, mitigations might be necessary for the conservation of this species and life-stage. The important areas that we define in this study should be validated by field surveys and can be used to guide future management and conservation of this age class and species in the absence of empirical data. Output files from particle tracking software (Ichthyop) for each nesting site each year and ESRI shapefiles of the calculated important areas for Day 1 to 4, Day 10 to 15, Day 25 to 30, which consists of the 25%, 50%, 75% and 95% cumulative frequency distribution. Also included are the particle release locations for each site.Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded&rft.creator=Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) &rft.date=2026&rft.coverage=westlimit=114.33471603376772; southlimit=-21.978070306861134; eastlimit=119.19067264757537; northlimit=-19.65746032347211&rft.coverage=westlimit=114.33471603376772; southlimit=-21.978070306861134; eastlimit=119.19067264757537; northlimit=-19.65746032347211&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/&rft_rights=Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided as is and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.&rft_rights=Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2022). Predicting core areas of flatback turtle hatchlings and potential exposure to threats. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/1558a623-d294-412f-b999-aff67b5d8551, accessed[date-of-access].&rft_subject=oceans&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data

Access data via landing page
https://apps.aims.gov....

Cite Saved to MyRDA Save to MyRDA

Licence & Rights:

Other view details

Unknown

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Australia License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/au/

Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided "as is" and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.

Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: "Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2022). Predicting core areas of flatback turtle hatchlings and potential exposure to threats. https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/1558a623-d294-412f-b999-aff67b5d8551, accessed[date-of-access]".

Access:

Other

Full description

We used particle tracking forced by an ocean circulation model (ozROMS) to predict the passive dispersal of flatback turtle hatchlings (Natator depressus) from 12 nesting sites off the coast of Western Australia. We used the modelled outputs to calculate the distribution of these ‘virtual hatchlings’ and infer core areas of hatchlings use over three dispersal phases (1–4, 10–15 and 25–30 days). The core areas of use were located on the continental shelf during all dispersal phases, which provides support for their proposed neritic development. We then calculated the overlap between core areas and two anthropogenic threats to marine turtles which are in-water artificial infrastructure and light pollution. We found that hatchlings were mostly exposed to these threats during their early dispersal. As such, mitigations might be necessary for the conservation of this species and life-stage. The important areas that we define in this study should be validated by field surveys and can be used to guide future management and conservation of this age class and species in the absence of empirical data.

Output files from particle tracking software (Ichthyop) for each nesting site each year and ESRI shapefiles of the calculated important areas for Day 1 to 4, Day 10 to 15, Day 25 to 30, which consists of the 25%, 50%, 75% and 95% cumulative frequency distribution. Also included are the particle release locations for each site.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Notes

Credit
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Australia

Credit
Pattiaratchi, C. University of Western Australia (UWA), Australia

Modified: 18 09 2026

This dataset is part of a larger collection

Click to explore relationships graph

text: westlimit=114.33471603376772; southlimit=-21.978070306861134; eastlimit=119.19067264757537; northlimit=-19.65746032347211

Subjects

oceans |

User Contributed Tags

Other Information

Wilson P, Pattiaratchi C, Whiting S, Ferreira LC, Fossette S, Pendoley K, Thums M (2023) Predicting core areas of flatback turtle hatchlings and potential exposure to threats. Endang Species Res 52:129-147. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01269

doi : https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01269 DOI Link

Identifiers

global : 1558a623-d294-412f-b999-aff67b5d8551